banner
therealmaine.bsky.social
@therealmaine.bsky.social
27 followers 11 following 840 posts
Writing my own Story 📝• Student of the Game 🏀 • Illinois State Alumni • Psalm 130:7 🙏🏾
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
It’s going to be a tough trip from all sides lol
I’m in the same category: logistically, it’s a setup for a scheduled L

The Thunder are also set to play six games in 9 nights (which is something to think about as well)
Those back-to-backs make it really tough. Especially with the early-season injury bug that the Thunder are dealing with
Thunder's next six games include — a four-game road trip + 2 back-to-backs:

11/4: @ Clippers
11/5: @ Portland
11/7: @ Sacramento
11/9: @ Memphis
11/11: vs Golden State
11/12: vs Lakers

What’s y’all’s prediction during this stretch?

Will they remain unbeaten? If not, who gives OKC their first L?
The Thunder are 7-0 (last unbeaten team) with a league-best +13.1 net rating

The defensive rating is #1 at 104.2
The offensive rating is #7 at 117.3

J-Dub hasn’t played
Chet missed three games
Joe missed the first five games
Caruso missed three games
Kenrich hasn’t played

Speaks to their culture
Noticeable statistic to point out for OKC

Thunder 3PT% without Isaiah Joe (First 5 Games): 27.9%

Thunder 3PT% with Isaiah Joe (Last 2 Games): 37.1%

Isaiah Joe’s spacing was clearly missed & is so valuable to the Thunder
One of one development & trait — which reflects on the rest of his teammates.

I hope people are appreciating what he’s doing.
Don’t want Isaiah Hartenstein’s performance to go unnoticed today:

14 POINTS (6/7 FG)
14 REBOUNDS (4 OFFENSIVE)
8 ASSISTS
2 STOCKS
+13

Near triple-double in only 26 minutes of action
Collective team effort from start to finish for the Thunder

Eight Thunder players in double figures, 53 bench points, 33 assists on 47 FGM

OKC becomes the third team to start 7-0 in consecutive seasons
SGA in 3 quarters:

30 POINTS
7 ASSISTS
8/14 FG
76% TS
+24

Records his 79th consecutive 20+ point game. Tying Oscar Roberson. Only Wilt Chamberlain has a longer streak

Third time scoring 30+ without playing in the 4th quarter

It’s been seven games
Total DOMINATION by the Thunder. Has scored 30+ in all three quarters

Six players in double figures for the Thunder through 3 quarters:

SGA: 30 points in 30mins
Wiggins: 13 points
J-Will: 12 points (4 3PM)
Wallace: 11 points
Joe: 11 points
Hartenstein: 10 points

Thunder up 108-82 after 3Q
Thunder playing at a different gear on both ends, had their highest scoring half of the season, leads the Pelicans 75-52 at the half

OKC: 62% FG, 13/24 3P, 10/13 FT with 21 AST on 26 FGM with 5 TO’s
NOP: 44% FG, 7/21 3P, 7/10 FT with 15 AST and 9 TO’s

All 10 Thunder players has scored
Hartenstein is DOMINATING on the glass: 7 boards (3 offensive) & is the direct cause of the Thunder’s (13-0) advantage in second chance points — as OKC has blown open this game, midway through the 2Q
Offense is humming — 66% from the floor + (season-high made 3s in a single quarter) 7/13 (54%) from 3

The Thunder’s execution against the zone & doubles on SGA has been crisp — 12 assists to 1 turnover on 16 FGM

Thunder up 39-22 after 1Q
No Dort, Holmgren, or J-Dub

Will be interesting to see how the Thunder defends Zion
Jalen Williams underwent a follow-up procedure on his right wrist to remove a screw that was creating irritation during the final stages of his return to play process

In which: the procedure was done by Dr. Steven Shin

He’ll be re-evaluated in 10-14 days, per Thunder PR

Pretty significant news
SGA in only 3 quarters

31 POINTS
7 ASSISTS
3 REBOUNDS
1 BLOCK
11/20 FROM THE FLOOR
3/6 FROM 3
6/6 FROM THE LINE
68.5 TS%

Another day in the office 🪣
Isaiah Joe in his season debut:

20 POINTS IN 24 MINUTES
6 REBOUNDS
5/9 FROM 3

Welcome Back!!
Another 20-point game for Ajay Mitchell

Has now scored 13+ in all games

But as I mentioned in a recent piece — on how his offensive breakthrough has overshadowed his defense

He was holding his opponents to 23.3% from the floor, heading into tonight’s game. Did contesting shots & closing out lanes
Can’t say enough about Cason Wallace & Alex Caruso’s defensive activity + playmaking

7 combined steals & many more deflections

Wallace (6 stocks (4 steals & 2 blocks)

Caruso (3 steals)

These two have been the primary catalysts — in the Thunder’s overwhelming advantage in the turnover department
Three BIG-TIME WINNING PLAYS from Jaylin Williams to stop Washington’s late third quarter surge

Crucial offensive rebound to a kickout3

Then a block leading to an transition 3

And finally a buzzer beating 3 to end the third quarter

After a Washington 9-0 run to cut it to 2, OKC ends on a 9-3 run
The Thunder closed the half on a 15-4 run to take a 59-49 halftime lead

SGA leads all scorers — 20 points (8/13 FG, 2/3 3P, 2/2 FT)

Isaiah Joe with a hot half — 14 points (4/6 from 3)

OKC are +10 in paint points & controls the TO battle (12 to 3) — resulting in 13 points off TO’s
Welcome back Isaiah Joe!!

OKC entered tonight as the second- worst 3-point shooting team in the league at 28.8%

Obviously provides much needed shooting and his shooting impact has been immediately felt

14 points (4/6 from 3) in 10 minutes of action
After a slow start to the game, the Thunder warmed up (especially from 3) in the final six minutes — going on an 17-9 run to end the 1Q

SGA continues his first quarter excellence — leading all scorers with 13 points (5/9 FG)

Thunder continues to be excellent in closing quarters
Feel awful for Nikola Topic…

Praying & wishing the best for him

#AlwaysPeopleFirstandPlayersSecond
Nikola Topic’s testicular cancer diagnosis was a fear of mine — especially with it being on the rise in young adults.

Tope worked hard to get back after missing that first season & he’s so young, man. It’s really not fair.

Sending him love & wishing him the best both mentally & physically.